Chibi continues in 2023 with the addition of Marvel Comics to the range, and a new randomly inserted gilded variant

Chibi has been quite the phenomenon for the New Zealand Mint. Despite only launching in June 2020, there are over 110 issues to date, and they continue to launch at the rate of 4-per-month, usually. We’re not going to go into detail about the range here, as we have a very comprehensive profile of the series available, well worth checking out for the variety alone, it’s quite amazing.

The main reason for this post is to inform collectors about changes and additions to the series as we enter the new year. The smallest change is to the obverse, where the Niue national emblem now sits in place of the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. It’s possible that there will be a change to the new King Charles III effigy once the coronation has taken place mid-year. The first big change is the addition of Marvel Comics to the range. Given the outrageous number of different characters in the MCU, this is a huge addition, and likely a very popular one. It isn’t the most surprising news, given the NZ Mint has had a Disney licence for years, and they own Marvel. As an aside, we’re also promised Indiana Jones coins soon, and that may well include Chibi, eventually.

The biggest change of all is the addition of a gilded variant, eschewing colour for gold. There are no base changes to the specification, they’re still one-ounce silver coins, but it’s the way they’re offered that may be more contentious. One in ten of the mintage will be gilded, but you apparently won’t know which one you will get when you order. There’s a piece of black foam covering the box window inside, so you won’t know what you’re getting beforehand. Basically, you have no choice in the variant you will get, so if you’re planning on collecting the gilded versions specifically, you’ll have to buy from a dealer, or eBay, that’s already opened the box, and no doubt you’ll pay a hefty premium for it. It’s a fun thing for the casual collector, but it will need to be carefully handled by the mint to prevent abuse. We do have to hand it to the NZ Mint, however, they do like to try new things, and we tip our hats to them for it.